City of Porter Awarded Age-Friendly Community Grant

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Mankato, MN, July 7, 2017 – The Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging (MNRAAA) will be working with the City of Porter to identify their age-friendly assets and desired assets through community-wide surveys and focus groups.  Data from the surveys and focus groups will be used to develop and implement initiatives that will result in new and/or enhanced assets that have a positive impact on the age-friendliness of Porter and its livability for all ages.  Porter will receive $10,000 to implement one of the identified initiatives.

A kick-off meeting will be held at the Porter Community Hall (113 Park Ave N, Porter, MN) on July 26 at 6:30 p.m.

This project is made possible through a grant from the Southwest Initiative Foundation and staff support from the Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging.

(Left to Right)
Josh Sumption, City of Porter
Becky Noyes, Porter Café
McKenzie Kack, Community Member
Jamie Enger-Lanners, Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging Program Developer

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Deadline Extended for AARP Community Challenge Grant Program

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We were recently informed that the AARP Community Challenge deadline has been EXTENDED and we wanted to share this information with all of the communities in our service area in southwestern Minnesota.

WHAT:  AARP is spearheading this Community Challenge to fund projects structured as “quick actions to demonstrate community change” and help build momentum in communities to improve livability for all residents. They are currently soliciting applications for project funding. The total Challenge pool is approximately $500,000 for about 50 projects nationally. If your idea is big, no project is too small! They may grant any amount; projects might range from a small, short-term activity that costs hundreds to a more sizable project requiring thousands of dollars.

WHEN:  Applications are due July 15, 2017 and all projects must be completed by November 1, 2017.

HOW:  All applications must be submitted through www.AARP.org/CommunityChallenge.
TO LEARN MORE:  To learn more visit www.AARP.org/CommunityChallenge or email livable@aarp.org

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Notice of 2018 Title III Funding Cycle

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Contact Information:
Rhonda Hiller Fjeldberg
Program Development & Grant Director
Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging®
507-387-1256 ext. 105 or rfjeldberg@mnraaa.org

Notice of 2018 Title III Funding Cycle

Mankato, MN, June 19, 2017 – The Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging is seeking grant applicants for Title III Services in southwest Minnesota for the funding period of January 1, 2018 – December 31, 2018.  Applications will be accepted for the following services:

  • Assisted Transportation
  • Chore
  • Homemaker
  • Telephone Reassurance
  • Visiting

Detailed information on Title III grant funding and the application process is available at mnraaa.org/grant-opportunities/.

Application deadline is August 1, 2017.

If you have any questions, please contact Rhonda Hiller Fjeldberg at 507-387-1256 ext. 105 or rfjeldberg@mnraaa.org.

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Avoid Falling Victim to Medicare Telemarketing Scams

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Avoid Falling Victim to Medicare Telemarketing Scams

Mankato, MN, April 18, 2017 – If you have questions about your Medicare coverage or costs associated with Medicare, contact the Senior LinkAge Line® at 1-800-333-2433.  The Senior LinkAge Line® is a service of the Minnesota Board on Aging and the Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging®, Inc.

In recent years, telemarketing scams have become an easy way to prey on older adults, costing victims thousands of dollars and, in some cases, their identity. Below are some tips that can help you avoid becoming victim to common telemarketing scams.

  • Medicare will not call you to ask for a Medicare number, bank account information or request that you purchase a new Medicare card.
  • Often scammers will call impersonating a distressed family member or state they are calling on a family member’s behalf during an emergency.  Ask the caller to leave a contact number, then call a family member to verify if a loved one is in trouble.
  • Remember that you cannot win a lottery or sweepstakes without knowingly entering a contest.  If you receive a call informing you that you have won money or a prize, just hang up.
  • A robocall is a phone call that uses a computerized autodialer to deliver a prerecorded message.  If you receive a robocall offering free services, money or prizes hang up.

If you feel you have been the victim of a telemarketing scam or would like to report a scam that you have experienced, call the Senior LinkAge Line®. The Senior LinkAge Line® is a free statewide service of the Minnesota Board on Aging and Area Agencies on Aging. Specialists provide one-to-one assistance with helping older adults age well and live well. The Senior LinkAge Line® is the federally-designated State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) for Minnesota and is the place to call for Medicare and health insurance issues. Call 1-800-333-2433 for assistance Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm or visit www.MinnesotaHelp.info® to chat with a specialist during business hours.

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